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  • springtide9
    springtide9 Posts: 1,731
    @abchandler: Cool, another member of the BR mini league :-)
    dmch2 wrote:
    If you're that quick for 4 minutes then your technique can't be far off (or it is and you're 120kg of pure muscle and aerobic perfection!). It's a sprint so you're basically beasting it and will rate higher.

    Try it next time you do a longer training style erg though. Something to stop it getting boring at least!

    Think my technique is reasonably OK, but I've obviously just adjusted how I row to the resistance. I'm sure I'm going back and fourth much faster than I should be, but I tried a resistance of 3 and reducing my ?cadence? as you suggested, but it was very odd and couldn't get it right.

    I think I need to reduce the resistance and alter my technique slowly, just to get used to rowing so differently.

    I did 45min on about 5 (rather than 6.5), and slowed the ?cadence? to around 28, and managed my best distance to date: 11551 (1:56.9/500m), which is an improvement of around 1.5s/500 on my previous time. But have also started doing interval training after advice given here (thanks weeksy!), so who knows whether this was just a good day, I'm getting fitter, or the technique made a difference :)

    ======
    One more day before the close of the 4min, and we're onto the next round
    Simon
  • brit66
    brit66 Posts: 350
    This thread caught my attention being an ex-rower of some 12 or 13 years.

    My PB for the 2k was 6.42 which is okay for someone who is 5' 10 and about 74k. Plus, I always used that old rowing chestnut of "ergs don't float" when others derided my times (true as well as I could scull the arse off most of them).

    If you're rating 28-30 for 45 mins that's very inefficient and your technique needs looking at by someone. I would personally rate at about 20 spm for most longer training distances, obviously giving it the berries when doing one of the dreaded 2 or 5k tests.

    As regards seat comfort, you can buy a foam seat pad from someone like Godfrey Rowing, which is a god-send on those longer ergs.

    PS. If you've never tried it I would suggest you give rowing/sculling a go at your local club - it's a great sport to get into.
  • springtide9
    springtide9 Posts: 1,731
    It's the last day of the 4min round, so had one more go as it seems that everytime I look in my age category, my place standing keeps dropping!

    Managed another 3 metres, so now standing at a final distance of 1196m :)
    brit66 wrote:
    PS. If you've never tried it I would suggest you give rowing/sculling a go at your local club - it's a great sport to get into.

    Will have to have a play around with the rating and SPM to find something that is comfortable. You make a good point about 'ergo's don't float' as I've always wondered whether the 'best' technique for ergo's is actually different to if you are using the ergo for proper rowing training? (I would guess you need to be very smooth on the water - and I have a feeling I'd sink the boat if I tried to 'sprint' :)

    Always wanted to have a go on the water when I was younger, but being the wrong side of 40 as well as having two small children, I now only choose sports that I can do on my own and required no planning in advance (and is not subject to weather, wind, wave height, or other factors outside my control!). But it would be good to have a go one day :)
    Simon
  • abchandler
    abchandler Posts: 175
    One more go tonight, hoping to push 1150. We'll see...
  • wastrel
    wastrel Posts: 55
    Friday is early doors pub night so that'll have to do.
    As long as I only look at the lightweight standings, I'm still just top half - but probably not after people have their last attempts.
  • brit66
    brit66 Posts: 350
    You make a good point about 'ergo's don't float' as I've always wondered whether the 'best' technique for ergo's is actually different to if you are using the ergo for proper rowing training?

    Yes, there's a world of difference between erging and say, sculling for example. I still erg without me feet strapped in.

    Although it doesn't look like it, it's actually quite a technical sport. However, once you've mastered the technical side, power counts for everthing and it does feel like erging. Google Rob Waddell and you'll see what I mean.
  • dmch2
    dmch2 Posts: 731
    For longer distances i erg with my feet out too. It stops you wasting energy pulling yourself up.

    TBH i'm looking forward to the longer distances as these short sprints knacker you out but don't use many calories. So you'll get fatter over the next few days whilst you recover.

    Plus i hope my technique will help overcome my lack of fitness more!
    2010 Trek 1.5 Road - swissstop green, conti GP4000S
    2004 Marin Muirwoods Hybrid
  • springtide9
    springtide9 Posts: 1,731
    First round is now over and I bet everyone can't wait for the next round...

    As we have two threads running on the same subject (one here, one in the MTB training section), it would be good to keep all of the posts together.

    Although I don't mind which thread we use, the MTB Training section is definitely less busy than the roadies! [so the thread doesn't get pushed down the list so quickly]

    So unless anyone has any objection, shall we post our times in the other thread?

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12731400

    It's only a suggestion as it would save me posting in both! [as well as wastrel]
    Simon
  • Elston
    Elston Posts: 28
    Haven't been on the ergo for ages due to work issues. Got down to the gym today though and did 7m10s for the 1 mile. I wasn't really going for it as my intention was to stay on for 20mins which I did. I tried to concentrate on fluency and form, kept the stroke rate at around 23 per minute and it all felt pretty good. I reckon I'll try a solid effort in the week. Not long left till the 2000m challenge starts. I think I'll like the longer ones.
    Look out kid, they keep it all hid
  • da goose
    da goose Posts: 284
    Back on the rower and a lightweight! as only 65k....
    2k 7m 22s today

    Previous best 7m15s

    Only rowing once a week so may try to get another session in to get back to my old times........... backs a tad sore now.
  • springtide9
    springtide9 Posts: 1,731
    FYI

    We have two threads running on the same subject (one here, one in the MTB training section), it would be good to keep all of the posts together.

    Although I don't mind which thread we use, the MTB Training section is definitely less busy than the roadies! [so the thread doesn't get pushed down the list so quickly]

    So (unless anyone has any objection) please continue the C2 challenge discussion in the other thread...

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12731400

    It's only a suggestion as it would save me posting and looking in both!
    Simon

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